Veteran sports broadcaster Jimmy Magee was one of six individuals and groups honoured at the Lord Mayor's Awards at the Mansion House in Dublin last night.

Born in New York and raised in north Co Louth, Jimmy was recognised for his long and illustrious career as a sports commentator and for his work with the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Special Olympics.

"I'm in Dublin 55 years -- does that count?" he joked last night.

The awards, given by the Lord Mayor of Dublin each year since 1989, are designed to honour those who have made a special contribution to the city.

Other award winners last night included: Paddy Doyle, one of the country's leading disability activists and an advocate for victims of institutional abuse; Janette Byrne, a cancer survivor and founder of the support group Patients Together; and Sylvia Meehan, a long-time campaigner for women's rights.

Two organisations were also honoured -- the Capuchin Day Centre which feeds the homeless and needy; and the East Wall Water Sports Group which has encouraged thousands of young people to foster a love of the water during its 30-year history.

Brother Kevin Crowley, who founded the Capuchin Day Centre in the 1969, said demand for its services was now running at an all-time high.